Given a text, write a compressed version of it in a single sentence.

As it happens, the four countries cited, Colombia, Cuba, Panama and Nicaragua, are not only where the press is under greatest attack but also are linked by the drug trade and left-wing politics. Noriega is close to Castro and may once have been his agent.
incidentally in the four countries cited, Colombia, Cuba, Panama and Nicaragua, press is under attack and they are linked by drug trade and leftist politics. Noriega is close to Castro.